All four members of Venezuelan nu-metal band Van Der Dijs have died after powerful earthquakes struck northern Venezuela on 24 June 2026.The musicians — vocalist Manuel van Der Dijs, guitarist Gabriel Gómez, bassist Xander Hernández and drummer Abraham Foucault — were inside their rehearsal space when the disaster occurred.

Reports indicate they were rehearsing at the Costamar II building in Tanaguarena, located in the coastal state of La Guaira, when two severe earthquakes caused the structure to collapse.Rescue teams later recovered their bodies from the rubble.The earthquakes registered magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 and caused widespread devastation across northern regions of the country.

According to official figures cited in local reporting, more than 1,900 people have been confirmed dead, with thousands more injured and many still missing.

The disaster has placed enormous pressure on emergency services and healthcare infrastructure, with hospitals overwhelmed and search-and-rescue operations continuing days after the initial tremors.Van Der Dijs were considered an emerging act within Venezuela’s heavy music scene, blending nu-metal, rap-rock and alternative influences.

The band had recently gained momentum, performing a sold-out show at the Centro de Arte Moderno in Caracas on 19 June, only days before the earthquakes.They were also preparing for upcoming performances in cities such as Punto Fijo and Valencia.

In the aftermath of the earthquakes, La Guaira has been identified as one of the hardest-hit regions, with extensive structural damage and ongoing aftershocks complicating rescue efforts.International aid has begun to arrive as authorities continue to manage the humanitarian crisis caused by the widespread destruction.